20 Top to Toe Warming Winter Stews and Casseroles

It's often said that the backbone of both British and Irish food is the wealth of its stews and casseroles. There are so many traditional recipes that it would be almost impossible to mention all of them. However, there are some hearty stews and casseroles that are essential to British Isle cuisine.

There is little difference between a casserole and a stew. A purist would say that a casserole goes in the oven, heating the dish from all directions, while a stew goes on the stovetop and is heated from the bottom. Another point of difference is a casserole is the name of the pot used for cooking. It has become known as the cooking method as well. The two, however, are relatively interchangeable as the end result is very similar. Whatever you call them, one thing is certain; These dishes are favorites for cold winter months.

01 of 20

Dublin Coddle

The Spruce

The ultimate comfort food must be a classic Dublin coddle. In this hearty stew, you will find salty bacon, sausage, and heaps of potatoes. Coddle is a popular pub food in Dublin and it's also easy to make at home.
02 of 20

Welsh Cawl

tirc83 / Getty Images

A classic stew from the tiny country of Wales is this Welsh cawl. It stands out from the rest because it is both a stew and a soup—two dishes in one. The Welsh will first drink the broth followed by the meat and vegetables in a separate bowl.
03 of 20

English Beef Stew and Dumplings

The Spruce

The English also know a thing or two about stews. Their famous offering of English beef stew and dumplings involves lots of beef, vegetables, and rib-sticking dumplings. The dumplings must be made with suet to be authentic but there are substitutions you can use.
04 of 20

Corned Beef Hash

Elaine Lemm

Corned beef hash is another top choice for comfort food in British households. This stew is \so quick and easy to make that you'll quickly see why it's a staple. It's definitely worth it to buy the best beef you can.

Continue to 5 of 20 below
05 of 20

Traditional Lancashire Hotpot

Jon whitaker/Getty

If there were a contender for the title of Britain's favorite casserole the traditional Lancashire hotpot is it. The dish is filled with onions, beef, and crispy potatoes, and is so popular that it's known quite simply as "hotpot."
06 of 20

Mum's Oxtail Stew

The Spruce

For many, mum's oxtail stew was a thing of childhood. It fell out of fashion—or rather the eating of the tail did—for many years. However, it is back and now recognized for the fabulous, tasty meat it is.
07 of 20

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tinga

The Spruce Eats / Pete Scherer

Smoky chipotle peppers, charred tomatoes, and onions are key to this chicken tinga recipe. The Mexican chicken stew is cooked in the slow cooker and takes all day. It has tons of flavor and may actually be better in a day or two, so it's great for meal planning.
08 of 20

Turkey Cajun Stew

The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

When you have leftover turkey to use up, make this turkey Cajun stew. It's a lot like gumbo, complete with shrimp, andouille sausage, okra, and bacon. The Cajun seasoning, garlic, and onion give it a nice spice, too. Serve it with steamed rice and you have a delicious dinner everyone will enjoy.

Continue to 9 of 20 below
09 of 20

Traditional Irish Stew

The Spruce

A traditional Irish stew is Ireland's national dish and a favorite on St. Patrick's Day. Traditionally, the classic stew was made with mutton, but that is becoming increasingly hard to find. Most cooks substitute lamb, which tastes just as good but is also more tender.
10 of 20

British Beef, Leek, and Mushroom Stew

Joff Lee / Getty Images

British beef, leek, and mushroom stew is the perfect warming winter dish. Chunks of beef are teamed with nutritious leeks while carrots, mushrooms, and onions add texture and taste. It's so healthy as well as delicious.
11 of 20

Slow-Cooked British Brisket Casserole

Jospeh De Leo/ Getty Images

For far too long a beef brisket was an underrated cut of beef often reserved for the barbecue or smokehouse. Well, not in Britain. The slow-cooked British brisket casserole shows that it's a perfect meat for long slow cooking. Since it's also a relatively cheap cut, it's ideal for family suppers.
12 of 20

Slow Cooked Shoulder of Lamb Casserole

Elaine Lemm

Lamb can so often be expensive, but if you look for a shoulder, you may be surprised at how cheap they are. A shoulder of lamb, however, must be cooked for a long time to allow the meat to tenderize. You will not be disappointed in this super-slow shoulder of lamb casserole.

Continue to 13 of 20 below
13 of 20

British Pork and Cider Casserole

gordana jovanovic / Getty Images

This super warming, tasty British pork and cider casserole brings together two lovely British ingredients. Pork and cider are a match made in heaven. And, if those don't already make this a super dish, a hefty dose of French tarragon finishes it beautifully.
14 of 20

Easy Cauliflower and Chicken Curry

Diana Miller / Getty Images

Cauliflower is enjoying a massive rise in popularity and it shines with chicken thigh meat. Curry is a quick form of a casserole, and here it is fast-cooked and easy to make. This quick-cook cauliflower and chicken curry truly is a great mid-week supper.
15 of 20

Classic Chicken Balti Curry

Haloran/ Getty Images

Another fast-cooked dish teeming with deliciousness is a classic chicken balti curry. Balti denotes foods with a Pakistani or Kashmiri origin. In Britain, the city of Birmingham is considered home to this style of spicy casserole.
16 of 20

Quick Chicken Casserole

Shutterstock

This is a recipe you will return to time and time again because it is one of the quickest and tastiest quick chicken casserole recipes. From this basic casserole, you can play with the ingredients to create whatever you want.

Continue to 17 of 20 below
17 of 20

Moroccan Spiced Goats Stew

Elaine Lemm

When you want to switch from the usual beef, chicken, or lamb dish, you can't do better than cooking some healthy, lean goats' meat. Add to that a hefty dose of warming spices, and you have a perfect winter's dish with this Moroccan spiced goats stew recipe.
18 of 20

Vegetarian Tomato and White Bean Casserole

GettyImages-155159068

The vegetarian tomato and white bean casserole is a hearty, filling winter dish. The beans, herbs, and fresh vegetables make it deliciously healthy too.
19 of 20

Chickpea and Coconut Curry

jules/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

Another meat-free recipe that packs a punch oozing in goodness, texture, and flavor is this chickpea and coconut curry. It's super easy to make too. This one also freezes well so you can make a big batch and make another dinner even simpler.
20 of 20

Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry

The best food is made with the freshest of ingredients and when cooked quickly, it retains all the goodness. That's why this cauliflower and chickpea curry is so good. It certainly doesn't hurt that it's easy to make, too.

20 Head-to-Toe Warming Winter Stews and Casseroles